How to Treat Dry Eyes

Do your eyes often burn, sting, or feel sandy? Are contact lenses uncomfortable? Maybe you’ve chalked it up to allergies or just being tired, but you could have dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

At Eyes on the World and Eyes on Broadway, our optometrists diagnose dry eye in about 30 patients per month. Many people have symptoms of dry eye but don’t realize there are treatments available.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t form tears correctly, giving you an imbalance between the water, oil and mucus components normally present in tears. The lack of lubrication that results may cause a sandy or burning sensation. You may also have discomfort while wearing contact lenses, a need to blink or rub your eyes, or painful blinking.

What causes dry eye?

There are many causes of dry eye, including autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s disease or lupus, as well as diabetes and other metabolic conditions. Activities that reduce your rate of blinking, such as extended screen use, can cause dry eye. You’re also at greater risk if you’re over 50.

Types of dry eye

To properly treat your condition, your optometrist will need to determine what type of dry eye you have.

• Evaporative dry eye is the most common type, and it usually results from dysfunction of the meibomian glands, which produce the oil in your tears. Without the oil component, the water in your tears easily evaporates.
• Aqueous deficient dry eye occurs when the lacrimal glands don’t produce enough of the watery component of your tears.

Treatments

• Artificial tear drops: These are sold over the counter in drug stores. They work best for mild, non-chronic dryness.
• Medicated drops: Your optometrist can prescribe medicated drops to treat inflammation caused by dry eye.
• Punctal plugs: Inserting minuscule devices in the puncta, where tear fluid drains, can help keep your eyes lubricated by preventing the fluid from draining. Some plugs also release medication.
• Nasal neurostimulation: By prescribing a nasal spray that targets nerves in your nose, we can trigger your lacrimal gland to produce more tears.

It’s best to treat dry eye to avoid corneal damage that can impair your vision. The sooner you treat your symptoms, the better chance you have to protect your eyes.